Laughing, he said he only wanted to discuss the first game against Navy on Aug. 30.

But then he confirmed that even he is impressed with what he's seen so far out of the Buckeyes.

"If you had to say what's the difference between this team and last year's team, we're faster," he said. "It does have the feel of a very good team."

The Buckeyes are seven practices into their preseason camp. Yes, the offensive line and pass defense are still a concern. Star quarterback Braxton Miller is still taking days off because of soreness in his throwing arm after shoulder surgery last spring. And Ezekiel Elliott, the first choice to replace brutish tailback Carlos Hyde, is out for a few days after minor surgery on his left wrist.

But, by and large, Meyer is enthused and encouraged as Ohio State heads into the brunt of its camp.

"This next week is real hard," he said. "There's a lot of practices in the next five or six days. That's when the home sickness sets in and you start feeling real sorry for each other and you start finding out what kind of team you have. At the end of next week, I will know what kind of a team we have.

"This will be the toughest week that they have all year."

Miller was held out of a scrimmage on Saturday to save the wear and tear on his right shoulder.

He said the week ahead would mean long days -- and rapid improvement.

"You just have to go out there like you're ready for a game," he said. "You have to have a mentality, too. You want to go out there and get yourself better and your teammates, too."